UP Ibalon Bicol: Healthcare reform loses support from the elderly, chronically ill, and the disabled

Healthcare reform loses support from the elderly, chronically ill, and the disabled

8/12/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

As lawmakers went on their August recess, Americans from all sides of the political aisle had started debating on the merits of Pres. Barack Obama’s ambitious healthcare reform. Even though only a few legislators read the more than 1,000 pages of proposal to overhaul the medical insurance system whose budget constitutes a 6th of our economy, the administration had been rushing and pushing for changes that had been met with growing opposition.

The senior citizens, elderly, the handicapped and disabled are for a universal health care that is cheap. But they are up in arms against what they perceived to be a threat to their health and lives. Even with more than a trillion budget (contrary to Obama’s campaign promise that healthcare will be kept inexpensive,) the specter of rationing of services, prolonged waiting times in doctor’s offices, denial of certain medical tests and treatments, the weakening of America’s leadership in medical science, and the discrimination of the severely ill and those with disabilities are real issues that spark shouting matches in town meetings all over the country.

My Personal Experience

As a disabled with an unrelenting chronic medical condition, I have serious concerns about Obama’s healthcare proposal. Even with the current system, cost-cutting has already started. Presently, I am due for chemotherapy in New York, but my nurse told me, we have to hold-off because Medicare, our government insurance system, has not approved the treatment. In short, I am being denied access to a live-saving medical intervention. The disapproval is directly linked with cost-cutting and I need to appeal to justify my treatmen. Obviously, the denial is intrusive to medical wisdom and interferes with my doctor’s trained judgment. The delay in treatment it causes can surely jeopardize my health. So if this is happening to me now, how much more when the Obama’s proposal takes effect?

I worry for those who don’t know how to deal with the complexity of the current medical system. I'm apprehensive for us who'd be dictated by new rules that may shut-down apt treatment for the severely sick. The healthcare change will serve best if one is not sick, but when someone contracts a difficult health problem, the nightmare begins. From my experience, the sick is practically alone to negotiate the system in order to survive.

I was denied coverage of claims for certain medicines before and I had to dig deep into my pocket to pay for them. Scrimping on my budget, I had to buy additional medical insurances to supplement my coverage. Putting up medical claims is confusing and takes a lot of effort. Too much cost-cutting can lead to morbidities and deaths.

Questions Demanding Answers

Forty six (46) million people without insurance will be added in the system when Obama’s healthcare reform gets approved. How will America pay for them except from taxpayer’s money? In a socialistic bent, why will certain sectors of society pay more in favor of others? Why is personal responsibility not emphasized among us---giving priority to pay for one’s medical insurance, discouraging fraud, supporting medical tort reforms among others?

Do we have enough doctors and nurses who will take care of the newly insured? How can Obama assure there will be no lines in the ER and doctor's offices? On what basis will the sick be denied or approved of their diagnostics and treatments?

Who has the moral authority to select which patients deserve medical care over the other? Are the lives of the elderly any less important than the young as suggested by some of Obama’s radical healthcare planners?

How can the public trust Capitol Hill’s health experts when they demonstrate partisanship, show sharp adherence to their brand of morality and social agenda? Why is accountability in their decisions lacking?

Sen. Nancy Pelosi (California-Democrat) in criticizing those who oppose the healthcare plan immediately labeled them as “nazis” and "unAmerican." In her maturity, why can’t she engage in a rational, free and honest debate on the issues that will affect the people for generations?

Why do some administration officials like Obama and Pelosi rush the public to decide on the proposal just like the wishy-washy approval of the $787 financial bailouts of banks, housing and auto industries without the public’s understanding? These are some questions that aren’t satisfactorily answered by the administration who promised wild things during the past election.

As a result, in August 11, 2009, the Rasmussen poll has showed a precipitous drop in Obama’s approval---51 disapproved (with 37% strongly against) and 49 (with 30% strongly against) approved. This is expected to worsen as the real intent of his healthcare revamp is fully revealed to the public. In the meantime, the gnashing of the teeth is getting louder in limbo. (Photo Credits: Ben Heine; flikr Nurse; barack obama) =0=

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Labels: Barack Obama, controversy, disabled, elderly, handicap, Health, medical insurance, Medicare, poll, universal healthcare

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Healthcare reform loses support from the elderly, chronically ill, and the disabled

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